Former officer serving sentence for sexual assaults found dead in jail

CTV News has learned that a former Winnipeg police officer serving a sentence for sexual assault was found dead inside Headingley Correctional Centre on Feb. 19.

Richard Dow ran a side modelling business while also serving on the police force years ago.

In September 2012, a judge sentenced Dow to jail time after he previously pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexual assault.

Dow had pleaded guilty to 11 counts of sexual assault and one charge of simple assault in connection with a series of incidents from 2000 to 2005.

The victims ranged in age from 17 years old to 23 years old and were assaulted during photo shoots.

Dow was slated to serve a 16-month sentence.

Sources said Dow’s body was found by another inmate, who spotted Dow slumped over in the shower just after 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Corrections staff tried to revive Dow, but were unsuccessful.

RCMP would only confirm they’re investigating the death of an inmate.

It’s not yet known how Dow died.

Police said an autopsy will be completed Feb. 20 to determine the cause of death. The fact police are investigating the death does not necessarily mean foul play is involved. The province said investigations are always launched whenever there's a death of a person in custody.

The jail was put into lockdown Tuesday while officials investigated.

Photos

Former Winnipeg police officer Richard Dow is shown outside the Law Courts in 2012. Dow was found dead inside Headingley jail on Feb. 19, 2013.